Do not adjust your sets, it is a 1968 Gibson Trini Lopez Deluxe

A pop sensation in the mid-sixties, Trini Lopez rose to popularity with his slick versions of folk mainstays and was offered the opportunity to design some guitars for Gibson in 1964. Based on the Barney Kessel body shape, Trini designed a thinline guitar along the lines of the 335 and a full depth Deluxe. Though the thinline example still retains the popularity with players to this day, the Deluxe never really caught on with 1967 being its most popular year with Gibson shipping 92 guitars. By 1970, with Trini’s star in the decent, the model was retired from the catalogue .

This guitar is in stunning condition. The two-tone sunburst accentuates the gentle undulation of the maple grain so well, the depth of the gloss emphasising the 3D nature of the wood. Great care has been taken over this guitar as is evident from the pictures. Both the top and the sides show no signs of damage.

The neck has some evidence of use in the way the cherry finish has faded. There is some evidence of some previous work done at the base of the headstock. It blacklight fine so it is obviously an old and slight repair of some sort. The guitar holds its tune and is very stable, the lacquer has not been touched up as it black lights evenly. There is another minor repair to the face of the headstock underneath the low E string. Again, this seems superficial and can only been seen under UV light. The original frets have plenty of life left in them and the Ebony fretboard is in excellent shape.

Plastics are in good shape. The pickguard is still gassing off so care will have to be taken with this. Currently, the guitar and pickguard are stored separate to reduce the damage caused by this chemical reaction.

Electrically everything looks to be correct with solder joints undisturbed.

The guitar comes with its correct hardshell case.

Being a Gibson of the late 60’s, this guitar has the 1 9/16” nut width. As we’ve found with so many other guitars, though the spacing is narrower, a few minutes playing removes any of the preconceived notions you may have. As with any archtop, this guitar sounds great unplugged with the Patent Number pickups really delivering tonally.

These are a rare beast and to have survived this long with a 17 degree 6 a side headstock, filled with grover tuners is a miracle. This guitar would make a worthy condition to any collection.